Hires & Promotions: Dentsu, Yes Bank, Benetton, VMLY&R

Dentsu Welcomes Rashmi Vikram As Chief Equity Officer In APAC

Rashmi joins dentsu from Microsoft, where she was Group Diversity & Inclusivity Practice Lead, responsible for delivering success by making inclusion a habit, with the aim of creating inclusive products and services for Microsoft’s customers. Prior to Microsoft, Rashmi was Country Head for India at Community Business, an NGO that champions inclusive business practices in Asia. Her other roles have included Diversity & Inclusion Specialist at Thomson Reuters. 

As part of dentsu international’s mission to create sustainable value for all, its Global Executive Team committed to hiring Chief Equity Officers in each of its three regions. Rashmi joins Christina Pyle, Chief Equity Officer, Americas and recently appointed Pauline Miller, Chief Equity Officer, EMEA. These appointments demonstrate dentsu’s commitment to making long-term sustainable change within our business and in society.

On Rashmi joining dentsu, Ashish Bhasin, CEO of dentsu international Asia Pacific said, “Dentsu’s strength lies in making a difference. To do that, we seek out diverse perspectives, celebrate difference and empower everyone to bring their most authentic self to work. We encourage our leaders to build diverse teams, teams with a healthy, vibrant culture. A culture that enables every employee to do great work, build a phenomenal career and know they belong. We are very excited to have Rashmi on board to champion Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and we look forward to working with her to chart meaningful progress for our businesses in APAC.” 

Kinch Ong, Regional Human Resource Director, dentsu Asia Pacific added, “Rashmi has a solid track-record in the DEI space, and I have no doubt she will inspire and make a difference. She will ensure that DEI is interwoven into the fabric of our organisation, fostering an even richer culture and experience for our people, clients and partners. Along with our colleagues in the region, I look forward to working with her to create and communicate the future state vision of DEI and roll out detailed plans of long and short-term initiatives.”

On joining dentsu, Rashmi Vikram said, “I am passionate about the work I do and am excited to be working with the global, regional and country teams at dentsu to champion, reinforce and build an inclusive culture.”

Rashmi will report to Ashish Bhasin, CEO of dentsu international Asia Pacific and Kinch Ong, Regional Human Resource Director, Asia Pacific.

The appointment commences with immediate effect.

Yes Bank Ropes In Ritesh Mehta As Senior VP, Marketing & Communications

Yes Bank has recently roped in Ritesh Mehta as Senior VP, Marketing & Communications. He will be managing their communication strategy and its execution.

Prior to this, Mehta was AVP- Corporate Communications at State Bank of India where he managed PR activities across businesses and worked with top management to drive banks communications objectives. He also looked after media activities and media relations and more.

Mehta is an experienced journalist turned communication professional with good domain knowledge of Banking and Finance sector, Infrastructure sector. He has worked across streams such as Media, PR Agency and Large corporates during his 12+ years of career.

During his reporting days at Zee News, he has reported on multiple sectors including regulators like RBI and SEBI. He has also covered major corporate developments like Infosys Restructuring, Satyam Scam, Ambani Brothers Reunion, to name a few.

After his journalism journey, Mehta took the PR route and joined Adfactors PR as Senior Account Manager in the BFSI sector. He is also a visiting Professor at Jai Hind College, Mumbai.

VMLY&R Appoints Mukund Olety As Chief Creative Officer

VMLY&R has appointed Mukund Olety as its Chief Creative Officer with immediate effect. Mukund will be a part of VMLY&R India’s senior leadership council and have a dual reporting line into Anil Nair, CEO of VMLY&R India and Valerie Madon, Chief Creative Officer, VMLY&R Asia. His last assignment was with BBDO China as Group Creative Director. 

Before joining VMLY&R, Mukund led award-winning creative teams at BBDO China on Mars Wrigley, Visa, and Volkswagen. A tenured agency professional, Mukund has also previously partnered with Ogilvy in Beijing to create digital and integrated campaigns for Nestle and Audi. 

With experience in India, China, and South-East Asia; Mukund, at the rudder of the creative team, will be instrumental in developing and strengthening the creative capabilities in India in tandem with VMLY&R’s positioning of creating connected brands that add value for clients by harnessing creativity, technology, and culture.  Mukund’s mandate will include driving the agency’s creative vision and nurturing its creative talent. 

Mukund Olety, Chief Creative Officer, VMLY&R India, said, “If there is one agency that is poised to become The Agency of this Decade, it is VMLY&R. It has this potent mix of creativity, technology, culture, and commerce. That is everything you need to create connected brands for the new age. What bowled me over was the ambition that Anil and the team have for the India office. With industry legends like Tripti, Valerie and Anil at the helm, there is not a better group of people I want to take this ride with. I am looking forward to creating connected, future-facing and awesome work for our key clients and brands.” 

Anil Nair, Chief Executive Officer, VMLY&R India commented, “I couldn’t have thought of a better person to lead our creative team in these thought-provoking times. Mukund has extensive experience working on both local and global brands and working at both Indian and international levels. This grasp of both, coupled with his passion for creativity, makes him an outstanding addition to the VMLY&R family.” 

With a career spanning nearly two decades, Mukund has also had stints with agencies such as Leo Burnett- Malaysia, O&M India, JWT, DDB Mudra and has worked on a host of reputed brands such as Mercedes, McDonald’s, Carlsberg, Samsung, Durex, Unilever, Maxis Telecom, Nike, ESPN, Bingo and Coke, just to name a few. He has served on Jury panels and partnered with One Club to mentor young creatives. A winner of multiple awards, Mukund has won at Spikes, WARC, EFFIES, LIA, just to name a few.

Benetton India Names Ramprasad Sridharan As CEO & Managing Director

Benetton Group welcomes Ramprasad Sridharan, the new CEO & Managing Director of Benetton India.

Ramprasad, who starts in his new position June 7, brings to Benetton Group significant experience in the fashion retail sector, having worked for Reebok India Co., Lerros Fashions India Ltd., Clarks Future Footwear Ltd.India, C&J Clarks International UK and finally for C&J Clarks International Singapore, where he held the position of President South East Asia, Australia & New Zealand.